Ghana Black Stars  hopes of ending their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on a high note were dashed as they lost 2-1 to Niger in their final Group F game. The Black Stars, who failed to qualify for the 2025 edition in Morocco, remained at the bottom of the group with 3 points.

Mohammed Kudus’s missed penalty in the 94th minute sealed Ghana’s fate. The West Ham midfielder was fouled in the box, but his kick was saved by Niger goalkeeper Mahamadou Djibo.

Head coach Otto Addo made six changes to the lineup, handing debuts to Isaac Afful, Nathaniel Adjei, and Terry Yegbe. Abdul Manaf Nurudeen, Razak Simpson, Mohammed Kudus, Ibrahim Sulemana, and Kingsley Schindler retained their starting spots.

Niger took the lead in the 22nd minute through Ousseini Badamassi’s header from a corner kick. But Ghana equalized in the 67th minute courtesy of teenager Jerry Afriyie’s strike from Ernest Nuamah’s cross.

However, Niger restored their lead in the 92nd minute when Oumar Sako headed home a free kick. Despite Ghana’s late push for an equalizer, Kudus’s missed penalty secured Niger’s 2-1 victory at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The defeat capped off a qualifying campaign for Ghana, with three draws and three defeats.